Risk Management Considerations for Beaver Dams and Lodges

Beavers are ingenious engineers. They are the only creatures besides humans to have such a changing effect on ecosystems. Their dams create new wetlands, reduce erosion and help to regulate flow rates in rivers and streams. Despite their good intentions, beavers can be a menace to public works crews and city planners. Girdled, cut or damaged trees may topple over, fall on to utility lines or hang dangerously over public pathways and roadways. Beavers also plug storm drain outlets, as well as damage flood control and drainage systems creating serious hazards.